Injuries sideline Wild's Brodin, Haula

BOSTON – The way the Wild lost wasn't the only painful result of Monday's game against the Rangers.

As if blowing a 3-0 lead by allowing five goals in the third period wasn't bad enough, the Wild played Tuesday's game against the Boston Bruins without defenseman Jonas Brodin and center Erik Haula.

Brodin crashed violently into the end-board dasher after being checked at the goal line by forward Chris Kreider. Haula was the recipient of a head shot from defenseman John Moore, who will have an in-person hearing with the NHL on Wednesday and could face a suspension of six or more games. Kreider won't be suspended.

As of now, Brodin's health is the bigger concern. Coach Mike Yeo said before Tuesday's game that Haula hasn't been diagnosed with a concussion, but the team wanted to be cautious because often symptoms arise a few days later. Yeo said, "It was pretty much our call to keep him out. We have to make sure and protect the player in this case. We're not 100 percent confident that he's not at a risk of going out and taking another hit."

Brodin, who returned in the third period Monday, had his left hand bandaged after the game. It's clear Yeo and General Manager Chuck Fletcher are worried Brodin, off to a terrific start this season a few weeks after signing a six-year extension, could be out awhile.

"He's sore in a couple different spots," Yeo said. "You look at that hit, he went into the boards and it's pretty much like being in a car crash. He's a really tough kid. It's a pretty amazing that he was able to come back and play to be honest with you. We've seen him do this over and over again. He's tough. If he's sore, we're a little bit concerned."

Defenseman Justin Falk, traded to the Rangers two summers ago but re-signed in July, made his season debut in Brodin's place and was paired with Matt Dumba. Nate Prosser moved alongside Marco Scandella and Jared Spurgeon moved up to the top pair with Ryan Suter.

Still searching for a goal heading into Tuesday's game, Yeo tinkered with his 30th-ranked power play units after going scoreless on two 5-minute majors Monday. Mikael Granlund moved to the first unit, Mikko Koivu to the second.

"Bottom line, we're starting to get in our own way here, and that's what's bothering me," Yeo said before Tuesday's game. "I didn't like our power play [Monday] night at all. Some of the things that make us a dangerous group when we're on top of our game, we're starting to lose those things. So we can try any combination we want, but the players have to really figure it out and make sure they have the right focus going out there."

Zach Parise had a deep, ugly-looking cut jutting out of his right nostril to his upper lip. He was hit accidentally by Marc Staal's stick Monday. It required 10 stitches, but he said he would see Wild doctors this week.

"I don't like them road stitches. Get them done at home," Parise said, laughing. "Hopefully it doesn't scar up too bad."

The Wild recalled Stu Bickel, but he didn't play. The Wild placed ill defensemen Keith Ballard and Christian Folin on injured reserve to make room on the roster for Falk and Bickel.